Miami FC Soccer

Post Updated: March 5, 2017

Miami FC is the professional soccer team located in Miami. The official colors of the team are white and tropical blue. The home games are played at two different stadiums: Lockhart Stadium and FIU Stadium. Lockhart Stadium is located in Fort Lauderdale, while FIU Stadium is where Florida International University plays their football games.

While Miami FC was officially founded in 2006 in the United Soccer Leagues, many of their fans date back to the Miami Fusion. A Major League Soccer team, the Miami Fusion were the local professional soccer team from 1998 until 2001. The Miami Fusion ceased to exist after they were contracted from the MLS along with the Tampa Bay Mutiny following the 2001 season.

In their first season in 2006, they played at Tropical Park Stadium — a stadium usually used for high school football games. The first goal in club history was scored by Mario Rodriguez. Later in 2006, Miami FC made headlines when they signed Romario, a famous 40-year-old Brazilian player.

In 2007, they reached out to local school for ideas for a nickname and mascot. The winning nickname was “Blues” and the mascot was a Hedgehog-like creation named “Hotshot”. The mascot is still prominent and the team is now sometimes known as the Miami Blues.

After finishing fifth in the regular season in their first season, Miami FC struggled the next three seasons — finishing ninth in each campaign.

Heading into the 2010 season, the team decided it wanted to change leagues. After a battle in courts, it was decided that they would play in USSF Division 2. This league came to life after a compromise between the North American Soccer League and the United Soccer Leagues. The USSF Division 2 league has 12 teams including Miami FC.

Traffic Sports USA is the organization that owns the team. Their parent company, Traffic Group, is responsible for many soccer tournaments in South American including Copa Supamericana and Copa America. The head coach of the club is Zinho, a Brazilian born former player who scored seven goals for his national team between 1989 and 1998. Zinho actually played for them before becoming the full-time head coach after the 2008 season.

The Miami Ultras are the official supporters group of the Miami FC. This group of fans gets together to support their team — often in rowdy fashion! Photo credit: wikipedia